Hells Angels members targeted in National Taskforce Morpheus day of action

Across Australia and New Zealand, police have arrested 40 people and laid 145 charges as part of a national day of action targeting the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG).

The activity occurred throughout both nations on Wednesday, 10 June and focused on weakening the operational structure of the Hells Angels OMCG.

Victoria’s targeted enforcement, led by detectives from Taskforce Echo with assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, North West Metro Regional Crime Squad and Eastern Region Crime Squad, included:

• The issuing of 98 Unlawful Association Notices targeting members 12 members of the Hells Angels OMCG Darkside Chapter,
• Service of 76 Unlawful Association Notices on Hells Angels OMCG members and their associates (cross applications must be served on the 12, making up the total of 76),
• The execution of six Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance searches in Mickleham, Thomastown, Pakenham, Botanic Ridge and Mooroolbark, and
• The arrest of a 39-year-old Powelltown man for contravening an FPO. He is expected to be charged on summons with possessing a firearm related item in contravention of FPO.

Unlawful Association Notices (UANs) can be issued to persons 18 years and older who have been convicted of serious offending.

To be the subject of a UAN, a person must fit the criteria of a ‘specified individual’. Police can then make a UAN application for any ‘selected individual’ who is known to have associated with a ‘specified individual’ at one time or another.

The selected individuals are then issued with UANs not to associate with the specified individual, who is the subject of the UAN.

Thirty-three people are now subject to an Unlawful Association Notice in Victoria.

To coincide with the day of action, Taskforce Echo last week resolved an investigation into alleged drug trafficking linked to the Hells Angels OMCG.

With assistance from Fawkner Divisional Response Unit, warrants were executed on Thursday, 4 June at properties in Pascoe Vale, Cranbourne North and Berwick.

Three men were charged with significant drug and firearm offences, including a 21-year-old Pascoe Vale man, a 23-year-old Cranbourne man and a 21-year-old Coolaroo man.

The trio will appear in court at a later date.

Focussing on enhanced national coordination and collaboration, national Taskforce Morpheus is a joint initiative through which all Australian state and territory police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Services Australia and New Zealand Police collaboratively target the highest threat outlaw motorcycle gangs impacting Australia.

In total, Taskforce Morpheus resulted in:

• Forty arrests,
• One hundred and forty five charges,
• Fourteen FPO compliance searches,
• The execution of 24 search warrants,
• Two Visa cancellations, and
• The seizure of six pistols, three assault rifles, more than 1000 rounds of ammunition, prohibited drugs and steroids, as well as $156,000 in cash

Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mick Daly, Taskforce Echo:

“The social and economic impact of outlaw motorcycle gangs on our communities is significant. There is no mistaking that OMCGs are violent, organised criminal networks obsessed with obtaining illicit wealth and power at any cost.

“Ultimately, we want to make it as difficult as possible for these individuals to be involved in serious criminal activity both in Victoria and throughout this country, and that includes the use of anti-association laws.

“Victoria Police remains committed to the unrelenting pursuit of OMCGs and will continue to use the suite of powers available to us to protect the community from these criminals and their activities.

“With specialist taskforces such as Echo and VIPER, we will continue to work collaboratively with our partner agencies to take action at every opportunity to dismantle and disrupt the illegal, anti-social and violent behaviours associated with OMCGs and reduce the impact of their harm on our community.”

Media Unit
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